Clothesline



Oct, 27, 1936.

c. EDWARDS 4vCLOTHESLINE original Filed April 19, 1.935

Patented Oct. 27, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Charles Edwards,Oakland, Calif.

Application April 19, 1935, Serial No. 17,296

1 Renewed March 30, 1936 This invention, a clothes line prop, provides aconvenient and desirable method of, and means `for coincidentlyiproppingand tightening clothes lines, and diierentiates from previously useddevices of this class in that the propping means forms an integral partof the clothes line, and also in that the propping is conducted ateither end o-r both ends of the line, and that it coincidently tightensthe line when propping.

The' usual method of pro-pping clothes line consists in using a propseparate from the line and propping the line at some intermediate pointor points.

This method has always been found unsatisfactory in that a strong windwill sometimes release the prop, and also in the fact that the prop isusually dropped on the ground when its use is not further required andtherefore collects dirt which is transferred to the clothes when theprop is again used and the clothes come in contact therewith.

One of the important features of this invention lies in connection withclothes lines which extend across the approach to private garages, sincewith this method, the ends of the clothes line is raised, thus assuringamplev clearance for vehicles approaching the garage.

The main Object of this invention is to provide propping means forclothes lines operating at the terminal ends of the lines.

Another object of the invention is to provide a prop which ispermanently attached to the respective end terminals of the line.

A further object of the invention is to provide cooperative means forsecuring the prop in any desired adjusted position of the line.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means causingtightening of the line as the line is raised to a higher elevation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe following description is read on the drawing forming a part of thisspecification, and in which similar reference characters are used todesignate similar parts 45 throughout the several views, of which;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the invention showing the prop in raisedposition.

Fig. 2 is a view complementary to Fig. l showing the other end of theline in lowered position.

50 Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modied form of the invention shown on anenlarged scale with the post and track shown in section.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the tightener type track.

zolaims. (o1. ca -3') which is provided With suitable mounting means,

such as a portion l2 sunk into the ground or imbedded in concrete i3.The posts may be mounted vertically and provided with vertical tracks,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or, preferably, as shown in Fig, 5, mountedvertically and provided with inn clined tracks to cause tightening ofthe line as the line is raised. i

The track consists of a bar or pipe I4 formed to a modified U-shape withthe legs passing through the post adjacent the top, the bar being shownas secured by means of the nuts l5.

Obviously, other securing means may be used.

The length of the track from top to bottom is made suicient to permitlowering of the line to easy lreaching height, and for raising the lineto the height desired, so that the line may be lowered for hangingclothes, and raised to a height sucient to clear devices, such asvehicles which may have cause to pass under the line, such as overapproaches to private garages, or to clear fences and shrubs.

Mountedon the track is a clothes line terminal member, trolley, orconnecting means, having a track wheel or sheave I6 which is rotatablymounted between the one end of a pair of links or straps l'l, a suitablebar or pin I8 being provided for attachment of a clothes line I9. Thispin or bar I8 may have a sheave (not shown) mounted thereon for thetraveling or continuous type of clothes line, so that either type ofclothes line may be accommodated thereby.

Pivotally attached by one end, as shown at 20, is a prop 2|, having ahead or eye 22 hingedly mounted between the straps I'l and swingable inthe plane of the clothes line.

A knee 23 is angularly related to the post and has its upper end aixedthereto. A plurality of spaced apart steps 2:3 are affixed to the topsurface of the knee or brace, and these steps are provided each with aguard 25 at each side to prevent the prop from slipping off the knee. v

One of the units described may be provided for each end of the clothesline, or only for one end if desired or found sucient.

When clothes are to be hung on the line, it is only necessary to lower`the line by releasing the prop as shown in Fig. 2, and after the clothesare hung, or when the line is not in use, to raise the prop to thedesired height or step 24. Since the prop is attached to the line, itcannot become soiled or lost.

In Figs. 3 and 4, the attachment is shown as made from a single strap 26passing about the rear of the pulley or wheel I6, and in Fig. 5 anoutwardly inclined track 21 is shown, which causes tightening of theline during raising or propping.

In Fig. 6, a modification is shown, in which the sheave I6 is mountedbetween a pair of L-shaped straps or links 28, the clothes line beingsecured at the end of one leg to the pin 29, and a cable or rope 30being secured to the end of the other leg, this rope passing over asheave or pulley 3l mounted on the top of the post Ill or ll, in abearing 32.

This rope then passes down to the winch 33 which is operated by thehandle 34, a suitable ratchet and pawl or other suitable retaining meansfor the drum of the winch (not shown) being provided.

The track 35 has its upper end secured in the bracket 36 and the lowerend forms securing means for one end of the Winch bearing 31.

With this arrangement, the end of the line is raised and lowered throughthe medium of the winch, the results being similar to that of the prop.A slant is provided to the track 35 to cause tightening of the line whenthe line is raised.

It will be understood that variations in construction and arrangement ofparts, which variations are consistent with the appended claims, may beresorted to, without detracting from the spirit or scope of theinvention, or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

I claim:

,1. A clothes line prop comprising a support, a Vertical track on thesupport, a connector having a sheave at one end operating on the trackand having the clothes line attached to its other end, a prop hingedlysecured to the connector, and means for retaining said prop in Variousadjusted positions.

2. In combination, a support, a clothes line, connective means betweenthe line and the support and adjustable at will to Various heights onthe support, said connective means including a prop hingedly connectedthereto, and stepped supporting means for the lower end of the prop.

CHARLES EDWARDS.

